International expert on sustainable agriculture practices

Background:

Pursuing the goals of supporting the host government in implementation of sound green economy policies the PCUz support will be directed to exchange best practices in development of policies, and increasing public awareness on sustainable practices in agriculture, in particular among farmers to enhance their sustainable productivity growth capacities.

The main goal of the project is to assist in the implementation of green economy mechanisms and the promotion of principles and methods of sustainable agriculture among agricultural producers in Uzbekistan, including by raising awareness of the impact of agriculture on the environment and methods of more sustainable agricultural practices.

In this regard, the project envisages implementation of following tasks:
• Assistance in the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices, including the support to adoption of government policies to promote such industries as organic farming, rational use of fertilizers and sustainable soil management;
• Involvement of non-profit non-governmental organizations and the business sector in promoting the implementation of sustainable agriculture practices to ensure proper cultivation of agriculture and horticulture;
• Raising the awareness of agricultural producers regarding the principles of sustainable soil management, organic farming and sustainable protection of plants.

Thus, the project contributes to a number of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) objectives, in particular:
• Goal 9 – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation;
• Goal 12 – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns;
• Goal 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Objective of Assignment:
The expert is tasked to provide hands-on advisory to national stakeholders, including Ministry of Agriculture and the Farmers Council of Uzbekistan.

Duration of Assignment:
40 working days in the period from 10 July to 30 September 2023 .

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the EED Senior Project Officer and National Project Officer, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Prepares practical recommendations for sustainable agriculture practices in agriculture and horticulture to be implemented in Uzbekistan based on international practices and in consideration of soil particularities of the country;
• In co-ordination with the PCUz team, provides hands-on and ad-hoc support to the Ministry and the Council on optimization of fertilization and protection of horticultural plants growth;
• Takes part in the development of proposals for the sustainable growth and development of high-value crops and plats suitable for Uzbekistan conditions;
• Develops technological step-by-step instructions on sustainable practices of growing fruit and vegetable species (10 for each, at least), which shall include a detailed information on:
- split of vegetation period into growth phases: from the beginning of vegetation to its end;
- the nutrients necessary for plants in each of the vegetation phases;
- comprehensive fertilization programme for each of the phases, with a options for soil fertilization and foliar fertilization;
- the most widespread diseases and pests against which protection treatments should be performed in each of the phases
- the sustainable organic and non-organic means by which plants and crops should be protected in each of the phases.
• Provides hands-on guidance to the operator of the pilot site established by the PCUz and the Ministry of Agriculture;
• Support the activities of Council aimed at demonstrating the benefits of organic and optimized fertilization for preserving the soil fertility, increasing the crop yields and improving the sustainability of horticulture.

The consultant will work from home and on site in Uzbekistan.

Deliverables:

- Practical recommendations for sustainable agriculture practices in agriculture and horticulture to be implemented in Uzbekistan;
- Technological step-by-step instructions on sustainable practices of growing fruit and vegetable species;
- Hands-on and ad-hoc support to national partners on optimization of fertilization and horticultural plants protection;
- Support to activities that demonstrate benefits of organic and optimized fertilization for preserving the soil fertility.

Necessary Qualifications:

• University degree in agriculture, environment, agrochemistry, ecology, natural science or other related fields as appropriate for the specific profile.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience in agriculture in general, with at least four year experience in managing, consulting or R&D in particular;
• A good understanding and knowledge on sustainable agriculture practices in European Union and Central Asia;
• Produced publications, scientific articles, conference papers, textbooks etc. on sustainable agriculture practices, horticulture cultivation, soil management would be an asset ;
• Fluent in Russian language, knowledge of Uzbek language is an asset;
• Work experience with international organizations is an asset.

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process. Additional Information